Iran Rearming With China's Help Despite UN Sanctions, Warns European Intelligence

Last Updated:October 29, 2025, 21:28 IST

Iran reportedly received 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China at Bandar Abbas, boosting its ballistic missile programme despite renewed UN sanctions

The UN sanctions were re-imposed in September. Under these sanctions, Iran is not allowed to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Iran has likely stepped up the rebuilding its ballistic missile programme despite the reintroduction of United Nations sanctions banning arms sales to the country and ballistic missile activity.

CNN quoted European intelligence sources as saying that several shipments of sodium perchlorate, the main precursor in the production of the solid propellant that powers Iran’s mid-range conventional missiles, have arrived from China to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas since the so-called “snapback" mechanism was triggered at the end of September.

They said that the shipments had started reaching the country from September 29. These shipments allegedly contain 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate.

Several of the cargo ships and Chinese entities involved are under sanctions from the United States, CNN reported.

The UN sanctions were re-imposed in September. Under these sanctions, Iran is not allowed to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Besides, the UN member states must prevent the provision to Iran of materials that could contribute to the country’s development of a nuclear weapons delivery system.

Among the member states, China and Russia opposed the reimposition of the sanctions, saying it undermines efforts for a “diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue".

Britain, France, and Germany, who are signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had argued that Iran has violated the terms of the deal, which was designed to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.

According to CNN, while the shipped substance – sodium perchlorate – is not specifically named in UN documents on materials banned for export to Iran, it is a direct precursor of ammonium perchlorate, a listed and prohibited oxidizer used in ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said while he was “not familiar with the specific situation," China has “consistently implemented export controls on dual-use items in accordance with its international obligations and domestic laws and regulations."

“We want to emphasise that China is committed to peacefully resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means and opposes sanctions and pressure," the spokesperson said, adding that the return of sanctions were “unconstructive" and a “serious setback" in efforts to “resolve the Iranian nuclear issue".

News world Iran Rearming With China's Help Despite UN Sanctions, Warns European Intelligence

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